PERAC Memo #11 - 2014: Mandatory Ethics Training
Mandatory Ethics Training
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This memo reminds boards that under Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2009, Retirement Board Members and staff (including certain contracted individuals) are considered public employees subject to G.L. c. 268A ethics requirements. Boards must: (1) distribute the Ethics Commission's Summary of the Conflicts of Interest Law annually and within 30 days to new members/employees, retaining signed acknowledgments (with copies to appointing authorities for non-elected members); and (2) ensure all covered individuals complete the online ethics training every two years (within 30 days for new members/employees), retaining completion certificates for 6 years and forwarding copies to appointing authorities. Boards should also note that submitting a copy of the training certificate to PERAC can qualify for 3 credits toward the Board Member Training Requirements under G.L. c. 32, §20(7).
Full Text
MEMORANDUM #11, 2014 Robert B. McCarthy M E M O R A N D U M TO: All Retirement Boards FROM: Joseph E. Connarton, Executive Director RE: Mandatory Ethics Training DATE: February 19, 2014 The 2009 Ethics Reform legislation (Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2009) created mandatory education and training requirements for all public employees, including Retirement Board Members and Board staff. The Ethics Commission has ruled that Retirement Board Members and Board staff are municipal employees within the meaning of G.L. c. 268A (EC-COI-00-2). As a result, Retirement Board Members and Board staff must comply with the provisions of the ethics reform law. Please be advised that Retirement Boards that are State Agencies rather than local boards must comply with the specific instructions issued by the Ethics Commission for State Agencies. The law also provides that an employee of a private firm may also be a public employee for purposes of the conflict of interest law and the training and education requirements. If a Retirement Board contracts for the personal services of a particular individual employed by a private firm, then the particular employee is a public employee for purposes of the conflict of interest law. The Ethics Commission provides an example in its implementation memoranda: [I]f a public agency hires a real estate consulting firm to provide development services, and the contract specifies that a particular partner will provide those services, then the partner is a public employee. By contrast, if a school department contracts with a school bus company to drive its students and the company can assign any of its drivers to do that work, the drivers are not public employees for conflict of interest law purposes. Information on the implementation of this law can be found on the Ethics Commission website, accessible through the related sites tab on PERAC’s web page. DISTRIBUTION OF CONFLICT OF LAW SUMMARY Each person subject to the Ethics Law requirements is provided a copy of the Ethics Commission’s Summary of the Conflicts of Interest Law on an annual basis. The Summary is posted on the Ethics Commission’s website and contains a space at the end for the individual to acknowledge receipt. New Board Members and employees are to be provided with the Summary within 30 days of becoming a Board Member or being employed by the Board. The acknowledgements of the receipt of the summary should be retained in a file maintained by the Board. A copy of the acknowledgement should also be provided to the appointing authority of those members of the Board other than the elected members.
ONLINE TRAINING PROGRAMS Each person subject to the Ethics Law requirements must complete the training program on the Ethics Commission’s website every two years. New Board Members and new employees must complete the training within 30 days of becoming a Board Member or being employed by the Board. The individual must provide a certificate on completion to his or her employer. This certificate is issued upon successful completion of the training program, and must be retained in a file maintained by the Board for 6 years. A copy of the certificate should also be provided to the appointing authority of those members of the Board other than the elected members. Board Members and Board employees should print out a copy of the certificate for their own records. This certificate is a condition of employment as outlined in the State Ethics Commission’s Summary. EDUCATIONAL CREDIT FOR BOARD MEMBERS The On-Line Conflict of Interest Law Training is also eligible for three credits under the Retirement Board Member Training Requirements set forth in G.L. c. 32, § 20(7). In addition to completing the training program for the Ethics Commission’s requirements, if you wish to receive credit for the On-Line Conflict of Interest Law Training, please forward a copy of the certificate of completion to PERAC atPER-Education@per.state.ma.us. Please note that credit for this course can only be offered once in any 12 month period. If you have questions, please feel free to contact PERAC or the State Ethics Commission.